The trial of the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, pastor of
Plymouth Chetfch, Brooklyn, for seducing Mrs. Tilton, has ended without a verdict. The Judge, Mr. _Neilson, only occupied two hours with his charge, which, though incidentally favourable to Mr. Beecher, was in form an essay on the law of evidence, and the jury die-
agreed. They were sent back again and again, but after eight days' confinement were discharged. It is understood that nine were for the plaintiff and three for the defendant. Plymouth Church immediately raised Mr. Beecher's salary to £20,000 a year, probably to enable him to pay the immense expenses of the - trial ; and the City Temple—a Congregatierud church in London —telegraphed to Plymouth Church its "unabated love and con- fidence" in Mr. Beecher. An address of sympathy is also pre- pared for the signature of all Congregational ministers. This last testimony of admiration for a minister for not being convicted of adultery seems open to some criticism, and we are happy to per- ceive that it has been repudiated by the leading organ of the Nonconformists. The exhibition of a sort of trade-union feeling about this trial is not creditable to the Churches.
Previous page
